103 years and counting
I had my first TF published material sometime in June of 2004. Nimrod Quinones, then the paper’s sports editor, encouraged me to contribute some materials and after several submissions, offered me a column in the sports pages. I’ll always be thankful to Nimrod for the opportunity.
I officially debuted with “Sports Collectibles” on July 27, 2004. The column was not all about sporting memorabilia and collectibles but also about sports in general.
Now with a different byline, it has been 18 fulfilling years sharing sport-related information and opinions to the reading public. Yes, I get negative feedbacks but am satisfied with the thought that they took time to read my piece even if they don’t agree with it.
Recently relocated to a place 12 hours behind local time, I sometimes fail to submit materials because I get confused of the time difference and of work schedule conflicts. I’m grateful for TF’s sports ed Manny Villaruel for keeping up with me.
It has been a privilege and an honor to be a small part of The Freeman family. Here’s to another century of “Fair and Fearless Journalism”.
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The Asian Basketball Confederation used to be dominated by the Philippines, Japan and Korea at its inception in 1960. China joined in 1975 and except in 1985 (lost to PH) and 1997 (lost to S. Korea in the semis) had been dominating the tournament ever since.
Like most of the country’s population, I’m a big basketball fan and there will always be a feeling of pride when the national team participate in almost all international basketball tournaments. The sentiment is still there but with the present set-up, it’s more on irritation because according to the one calling the shots, it’s still a “learning experience”. My freaking goodness.
The last time we had the title with purely homegrown talents was in 1973 with the likes of local cage legends Jimmy Mariano, Sonny Jaworski, Mon Fernandez, Francis Arnaiz, Manny Paner, Yoyong Martirez, Bogs Adornado, Abet Guidaben, Joy Cleofas, Dave Regullano and enforcers Big Boy Reynoso and Tembong Melencio.
It was not 12 years later that the men’s national basketball team topped the Asian competition. With naturalized players Dennis Still, Chip Engeland and Jeff Moore, the Northern Consolidated Cement team, coached by Ron Jacobs had the likes of in-their-prime of Hector Calma, Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Jerry Codinera, Franz Pumaren, Alfie Almario and Yves Dignadice.
Coached by Tab Baldwin, 2015 was the last time that we had a FIBA Asia podium finish, placing runner-up to eventual champion China. Andray Blatche alternated with Asi Taulava at center.
We must make good in our remaining games to get to the next round of the FIBA Asia Cup. The ‘puso’ obviously is there but if the high and the mighty of the country’s basketball federation buys the “learning” thing, then might as well have a hard FIBA Asia cough.
103 years for The Freeman and counting, maybe another 103 years until we get back as Asia’s best in basketball.
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